29
votes
Accepted
What to throw money at when trying to level up your biking from an older, generic bicycle?
Very rarely do upgrades make enough difference to a bike to justify the cost or doing them. For this reason, I am a strong believer that while you should maintain a bike, you are almost always better ...
- 49.1k
14
votes
Disk brakes swap on a new road bike with rim brakes
Can I put disk brakes on it?
No. You cannot effectively convert a rim brake frame or forks to disc brakes.
(Alternative answer:
do I need to replace parts?
Yes, the frame and forks.)
Seriously ...
- 75.5k
12
votes
Shimano Claris vs 105?
I've never used Claris, but I've used a bunch of different Shimano road stuff, from 8 to 11 speed, as well as some SRAM.
All other things being equal (which they never are), the more expensive ...
- 121
12
votes
Accepted
Is it cost-effective to upgrade an old-ish Giant Escape R3 commuter bike with entry-level branded parts (wheels, drivetrain)?
Cable replacements, chain, tubes, all those are "consumables" Even spoke replacement is not an uncommon problem to have periodically. A bike isn't a cellphone to be discarded when its a bit tired - ...
- 121k
12
votes
What to throw money at when trying to level up your biking from an older, generic bicycle?
Judging by the current bike and the mileage, a new bike will be put to good use. Look for a lighter bike with better quality components, that fits similarly. Don't expect it to cost you less to ...
- 2,716
11
votes
short, fat, first time cyclist
You've got two things going against you:
Height: I'd suggest avoiding 700c wheels and going for 650b (pricer) or 26" wheels. For short riders (I'd say shorter than 5'5"), these provide better fit. ...
- 46.1k
10
votes
What to throw money at when trying to level up your biking from an older, generic bicycle?
The overall goal is to improve general fitness, maybe go faster or longer.
For these goals it's very unlikely a new bike is required. Fitness is derived from a blend of time spent riding, intensity, ...
- 18.3k
9
votes
Does a brand-new bike bought online need a service before riding it?
I took the bike to another bike shop.
The man there adjusted my handle bar (apparently when I did it myself, it was not good enough, not straight or aligned).
Then he put the bike on a stand and ...
- 257
9
votes
Can I convert rim brake to disc brake on road bike?
To do this "properly" you need to replace all these parts:
a new frame with disk caliper mounts
a new fork with disk caliper mounts
all the brake system parts, being calipers and rotors, hose etc.
...
- 121k
8
votes
Accepted
What should be my first upgrade?
As everyone above points out, you'll pay double or triple to upgrade piecemeal. Save up buy a whole bike. Used if you have to.
The two items that I would consider are NOT on your list:
If you are ...
- 366
7
votes
Shimano Claris vs 105?
I'm researching my new road bike too. Here's info on shimano road sets, originally from: http://www.chainreactionhub.com/road/980-our-guide-to-shimanos-road-groupsets-from-tiagra-to-dura-ace
with ...
- 121k
7
votes
short, fat, first time cyclist
Your height might be more challenging to fit than your weight; your weight is well within tolerance for most bikes, steel or aluminum. Don't buy a too-big bike; it'll make you unhappy and might even ...
- 2,076
7
votes
How does one upgrade a bicycle?
Cranks and chainrings are made of aluminium, which does not rust. You'll probably be fine with cleaning them and new cassette and chain. This isn't that expensive any more. From quick googling, your ...
- 21.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Can I convert rim brake to disc brake on road bike?
Rim and disc brakes have completely different mounts. The front disc would be mounted at the bottom of the left fork leg, and the rear would be mounted where the seat and chain stay intersect.
It’s ...
- 29.7k
7
votes
Accepted
Is it worth buying a road bike or rather upgrade mountain bike?
Only you can decide if you "need or "want" a road bike. I would not upgrade your mountain bike in an attempt to make it a better road bike. As the saying goes a pig wearing lipstick is ...
- 18.4k
6
votes
French thread BB
You're stuck with square taper bottom brackets. But there are plenty of good square taper cranksets still on the market (new and used).
You have a few options though:
Velo Orange sells a french ...
- 46.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Which upgrades are required for participate in cycle race?
You can ride any bike in a race, provided it's in good enough working order to get you over the line.
Regarding gears, it looks like the cost to add derailleur style gears may be prohibitive, as I ...
- 437
5
votes
What should be my first upgrade?
With an inexpensive bike like this upgrading individual components not worth it. You can't really replace the frame - replacement frames do not exist at this price level.
If the bike is too small ...
- 75.5k
5
votes
What should be my first upgrade?
You say that your bike is incompatible with your height. Upgrading won't fix that at all. You also say that you want to save weight, but you're riding a low-end bike with suspension forks and big fat ...
- 17k
5
votes
Is it cost-effective to upgrade an old-ish Giant Escape R3 commuter bike with entry-level branded parts (wheels, drivetrain)?
To answer the 'is it cost effective?' question you have to know what you are getting for the upgrades. Are replacement components going to be lighter, more efficient or more durable? You could say ...
- 75.5k
5
votes
Accepted
Mountain Biking with Heavy Rider and Rigid Bike
The Multitrak is really a hybrid designed for light off road, on road and touring. You are right not to try and upgrade the bike parts. As long as you stick within its limits it will be fine. Enjoy ...
- 49.1k
5
votes
Upgrading a entry level hybrid bike or purchasing a new better one
Upgrading an existing bike piecemeal is always going to be more expensive than buying a new bike with the specs you want, because manufacturers get components at a discount.
Regarding Option 1, ...
- 29.2k
5
votes
What to throw money at when trying to level up your biking from an older, generic bicycle?
Two changes that would improve the enjoyment of cycling a lot, and which you can do on the current bike without having to even consider a new bike:
Better tires. Those tires don't look like good ...
- 18k
4
votes
Accepted
Getting my first Road Bike
Let's take a quick look at some of your bigger goals:
One day possibly enter into a local race
Try to hit and maintain a 20+(hitting close to 30 would be nice) mph base speed (currently can ...
- 30.5k
4
votes
French thread BB
Can't be done, sorry.
A French BB shell is about 0.2 mm larger than ISO, so there's no way to make an ISO BB stay put in there.
Forget about press-fit; those are typically several mm larger. Even ...
- 4,272
4
votes
French thread BB
I have managed to convert the bottom bracket to work with three piece cranks on my early 1970s UO-8. It originally had cottered cranks. All I had to do was find a square taper bottom bracket spindle ...
- 364
4
votes
Does a brand-new bike bought online need a service before riding it?
Wow
This question has provoked some impassioned debate, all in the time it took for my morning ride.
Take a step back for a moment. Let's say that you get what you pay for. While not always true, ...
- 17.2k
4
votes
short, fat, first time cyclist
A steel bike built to take a load (touring) and big (soft) tires. I don't like to recommend a specific bike but something like a Troll or MARRAKESH with flat bars. Troll is 26" wheels so an XS is ...
- 15.6k
4
votes
Does a brand-new bike bought online need a service before riding it?
In general, it is a good idea to bring a bike bought online to a shop for a once-over check.
What your local bike shop said is exactly what many other shops will/would say. Not that the bike wasn't ...
- 545
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